Photo: Justa Traveler
Author: Stephen Weller
2,047 words, 11 minutes read time
Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman
Scripture Reference: Luke 7:36-50
Context:
Luke 7:36–50 occurs within a broader section of Gospel of Luke that emphasizes the authority of Jesus and the varied responses to Him, ranging from faith and humility to doubt and rejection. Leading into this passage, Jesus has demonstrated His power through miracles (healing the centurion’s servant and raising the widow’s son) and has affirmed His identity to the disciples of John the Baptist, declaring that the works they witness testify that He is the promised Messiah (Luke 7:18–35). Immediately following His rebuke of those who reject both John and Himself, Jesus enters the house of a Pharisee named Simon, setting the stage for a vivid contrast between outward religious respectability and genuine repentance. The woman described as a “sinner” (likely known in the community for a sinful lifestyle) approaches Jesus with deep humility and devotion, anointing His feet with tears and costly perfume—actions that reflect profound repentance and love. In contrast, Simon the Pharisee internally questions Jesus’ prophetic authority, judging both the woman and Jesus according to external standards of purity and status. Jesus responds with a parable of two debtors to reveal that those who recognize the magnitude of their forgiveness will respond with greater love. This account highlights key Lukan themes: the grace of God extended to the marginalized, the exposure of self-righteousness, and the inseparable connection between forgiveness and love. It also anticipates the gospel message more fully revealed later; that forgiveness is not earned through status or works but received through faith, resulting in a transformed heart that expresses itself in love and devotion to Christ.
Event Narrative:
Lk 7:36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him to see this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
Lk 7:41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Bible Lessons for this event:
H241 Woman Anoints the Feet of Jesus (Luke 7:36-40)
H242 Faith Evidenced by Commitment (Luke 7:41-50)
Event Summary:
This event recounts the story of a sinful woman who anoints Jesus’ feet with costly perfume in the home of Simon the Pharisee. It highlights themes of forgiveness, love, humility, and faith, contrasting the responses of those who recognize their need for grace with those who remain self-righteous.
Key points of this event are:
(1) The woman, known to be sinful, comes to Jesus with humility and deep remorse, weeping and anointing his feet with perfume. Her actions reveal a heart of repentance and gratitude, as she recognizes her own brokenness and comes to Jesus for forgiveness. She expresses her devotion openly, undeterred by the opinions of others, demonstrating the depth of her love and reverence for Jesus as she seeks mercy. (See Luke 7:36-38)
(2) Simon the Pharisee questions Jesus’ holiness, thinking that if Jesus were truly a prophet, he would know the woman’s sinful past and avoid her. Simon’s reaction reveals a self-righteous and judgmental attitude, as he looks down on both the woman and her actions. This response reflects a failure to see his own need for grace, as he focuses on outward appearances and social status rather than inner transformation and compassion. (See Luke 7:39)
(3) To address Simon’s attitude, Jesus shares a parable of two debtors who owe different amounts but are both forgiven by their lender. He asks Simon which debtor would love the lender more, leading Simon to recognize that the one forgiven more will love more. The parable illustrates that forgiveness inspires love: those who recognize the depth of their need for God’s mercy are more likely to respond with deep love and gratitude. (See Luke 7:40-43)
(4) Jesus affirms the woman’s faith and forgives her sins, declaring that her faith has saved her and that she can go in peace. This public forgiveness challenges social norms, as Jesus extends grace and compassion to someone considered unworthy by society. Jesus’ words reveal that faith in him, combined with repentance, leads to forgiveness and restoration. His acceptance of the woman demonstrates that no one is beyond God’s mercy and that love, and forgiveness are available to all who come to him with humility. (Luke 7:44-50)
(5) The story contrasts true righteousness—a humble, repentant heart that loves greatly in response to forgiveness—with self-righteousness, as shown by Simon’s critical and judgmental approach. Jesus teaches that God values love, humility, and repentance over mere appearances or legalistic behavior, inviting people to see that spiritual transformation begins with recognizing one’s need for grace.
The message of this event is that God’s forgiveness is available to all who come to him in faith, humility, and repentance. Jesus teaches that those who recognize their need for forgiveness will love deeply in response. This story challenges self-righteous attitudes, emphasizing that true righteousness is rooted in love and gratitude for God’s grace. Jesus’ compassion for the sinful woman reveals that God’s mercy knows no boundaries, offering peace, restoration, and forgiveness to all who seek him with a sincere heart.
Understanding and Application:
Questions of Understanding with Extended Answers
What is the overall message of this passage regarding grace and redemption?
Answer: The passage teaches that God’s grace is available to all, regardless of past sin, and that true response to that grace is expressed through love, humility, and faith. It contrasts self-righteousness with genuine repentance, showing that those who recognize their need for forgiveness receive it and respond with deep love. Jesus is revealed as the one who forgives sins and restores sinners, emphasizing that salvation is based on faith in Him rather than religious status or outward behavior.
Who invited Jesus to dine, and what does this reveal about his perspective toward Jesus?
Answer: The invitation came from Simon the Pharisee. As a Pharisee, Simon was part of a religious group known for strict adherence to the Law and concern for ritual purity. His invitation shows a level of interest or curiosity about Jesus, possibly even a willingness to evaluate Him. However, his later thoughts reveal a critical and skeptical attitude. Simon viewed Jesus more as a subject for examination than as a revered guest or divine teacher, which is evident in his lack of customary hospitality and his internal judgment of both Jesus and the woman.
What actions did the woman take toward Jesus, and what do they signify?
Answer: The woman, identified as a sinner, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, stood behind Jesus weeping, wet His feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed His feet, and anointed them with ointment. These actions signify deep humility, repentance, love, and devotion. Her tears reflect sorrow over sin; wiping His feet with her hair shows self-abasement and honor toward Jesus; the kisses demonstrate affection and reverence; and the costly ointment represents sacrificial giving. Altogether, her actions reveal a heart transformed by grace and overwhelmed with gratitude.
Why did Simon question Jesus internally, and what assumption did he make?
Answer: Simon questioned Jesus because He allowed a known sinful woman to touch Him. Simon assumed that if Jesus were truly a prophet, He would know the woman’s sinful identity and would reject her touch to maintain purity. This reveals Simon’s misunderstanding of both Jesus’ mission and God’s grace. He viewed holiness as separation from sinners, whereas Jesus demonstrated that true holiness brings redemption and restoration to sinners.
What parable did Jesus use, and what was its main point?
Answer: Jesus told the parable of two debtors, one owed a large sum, the other a small sum. When neither could repay, the creditor forgave both debts. Jesus asked which debtor would love the creditor more, and Simon correctly answered that it would be the one forgiven more. The main point is that those who recognize the magnitude of their forgiven sin will respond with greater love. Forgiveness produces love, and awareness of grace deepens devotion.
How did Jesus contrast Simon’s actions with the woman’s actions?
Answer: Jesus pointed out that Simon failed to provide basic acts of hospitality: no water for His feet, no kiss of greeting, and no oil for His head. In contrast, the woman washed His feet with her tears, kissed them continually, and anointed them with expensive ointment. This contrast highlights the difference between outward religiosity and genuine love. Simon’s lack of hospitality revealed a lack of love, while the woman’s extravagant actions demonstrated profound gratitude and devotion.
What does Jesus teach about the relationship between forgiveness and love?
Answer: Jesus teaches that love is the result of forgiveness. The one who is forgiven much loves much, while the one forgiven little loves little. This does not mean that some people need less forgiveness, but rather that awareness of one’s sin and the grace received determines the depth of love expressed. The woman’s great love revealed her deep awareness of forgiveness, while Simon’s limited love reflected his lack of recognition of his own need for grace.
What declaration did Jesus make to the woman, and why is it significant?
Answer: Jesus declared, “Your sins are forgiven” and later, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” This is significant because it affirms His authority to forgive sins, something only God can do. It also shows that salvation comes through faith, not through social status or religious standing. The woman, though considered sinful by society, received forgiveness and peace because of her faith in Jesus.
How did the other guests respond to Jesus’ statement, and what does this reveal?
Answer: The other guests began to question among themselves, saying, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” This reveals their struggle to understand Jesus’ identity. While they recognized the significance of His claim, they were not yet ready to fully accept that He possessed divine authority. Their reaction highlights the central question of the Gospel, who Jesus truly is.
What role did faith play in the woman’s experience?
Answer: Faith was the foundation of the woman’s forgiveness and salvation. Jesus explicitly states that her faith saved her. Her actions were not the cause of her forgiveness but the evidence of her faith. She believed in Jesus’ mercy and came to Him in humility and trust. Her faith led her to approach Him boldly, despite social barriers, and resulted in forgiveness and peace.
Anchor My Faith 
Leave a comment